5.27.2014

Man missing after jumping in river to save nephew

21-year-old Tou Hu Vang was swept away by rough currents in the St. Croix River

In Minnesota, rescue teams are searching for a missing man who was swept away on Sunday evening when he jumped into the fast-moving St. Croix River to save his 11-year-old nephew. Fortunately, the boy was saved by good samaritan who also jumped in the water, but his uncle did not resurface.

Calvin Vang was fishing at a scenic boat landing near Taylors Falls when he tripped on a rock and fell into the raging water. His uncle, 21-year-old Tou Hu Vang, jumped in the water in an attempt to rescue him, but was swept away by the rough current. Another man, described in news reports as a "good samaritan," leapt into the river and was able to pull Calvin to safety:

"He was trying to swim towards me, but the current kept pushing me farther away from him," said Calvin. "I thought I was going to die. And I couldn't breathe."

Fortunately, another man described by all as a "Good Samaritan" leapt into action. Reportedly, he jumped from as high as 30 feet off of the rocks on shore, plunging into the river and pulling Calvin to safety. The search for Calvin's uncle lasted until after 5 p.m. Monday and will continue.

"We'll have boats on the river," said Rick Duncan, Chisago County Sheriff. "Probably not going to drag. Just going to have boats sculling up and down the river. We pretty much dragged the whole area where we think that they could be so..We are just hoping that eventually the body will float to the top and then we will be able to find him then."

Sadly, Vang, who was studying business and communications at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, is presumed drowned. Rescue boats have been searching the water over the last two days to recover his body. Deepest condolences to his loved ones.

UPDATE: An interview with Ken Hawj, the "good samaritan" who jumped into the water to save Calvin Vang, and will receive a lifesaving award from the sheriff's office for his actions: Good Samaritan Saves Boy from St. Croix River